{"product_id":"knights-of-pythias-uniform-rank-button","title":"Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank button made 1878 to 1882.","description":"\u003cp\u003eLarge 22mm brass button\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eVintage Knights of Pythias \u003c\/span\u003eKnights of Pythias button (Fraternal order founded in 1864)\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px; font-weight: 400;\"\u003e•\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-tab-span\" style=\"font-size: 15px; font-weight: 400;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px; font-weight: 400;\"\u003eLargely assembled by Civil War veterans who valued the disciplined military lifestyle, various drill corps organized under the Knights of Pythias were officially consolidated into the Uniform Rank in 1878.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-tab-span\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e•\u003cspan class=\"Apple-tab-span\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIt was organized completely along U.S. Army lines into Companies, Brigades, and Regiments. Members wore their own military-style uniforms, called their lodges military units, used military titles, and attended “encampments” instead of conventions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-tab-span\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e•\u003cspan class=\"Apple-tab-span\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWhile the regular Knights used a falcon as their symbol, the Uniform Rank adopted the dove as its official bird and the lily as its official flower, earning it the nickname the “Army of the Lily.”\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-tab-span\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e•\u003cspan class=\"Apple-tab-span\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMembers participated in parades and processions, and the Uniform Rank was eventually banned within the organization in the 1950s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBranch:\u003c\/b\u003e Uniform Rank (The semi-military division founded in 1878, known as the \"Army of the Lily\").\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFront Design:\u003c\/b\u003e Features the text \"Uniform Rank\" surrounding a \u003cb\u003ecalla lily\u003c\/b\u003e (representing Honor, Justice, and Loyalty) or a \u003cb\u003eplume of feathers\u003c\/b\u003e from a ceremonial dress helmet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eManufacturer Stamp (Backmark):\u003c\/b\u003e Stamped \u003cb\u003e\"M.C. Lilley \u0026amp; Co. Columbus, O.\"\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Age \u0026amp; Rarity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eProduction Date:\u003c\/b\u003e Minted exactly between \u003cb\u003e1878 and 1882\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance:\u003c\/b\u003e Because it lacks the word \u003cb\u003e\"The\"\u003c\/b\u003e (which was permanently added to the company name in 1882 following the founder's death), this is a rare, \u003cb\u003efirst-generation\u003c\/b\u003e piece from the first four years of the Uniform Rank's existence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003e⚔️ Context \u0026amp; The Texas Connection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Uniform:\u003c\/b\u003e The button originally belonged to a double-breasted navy or black wool frock coat. The full uniform included brass scale-epaulets, a chapeau hat with sweeping ostrich feathers, and an etched ceremonial sword.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorn by Texas Civil War veterans who eagerly joined this division. Between 1878 and 1882.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Gradia Militaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53897289072968,"sku":"10134","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0924\/1103\/5976\/files\/IMG-2070.heic?v=1787614747","url":"https:\/\/www.gradiamilitaria.com\/products\/knights-of-pythias-uniform-rank-button","provider":"Gradia Militaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}